Fire-escape



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J. H. KENNEDY. FIRE ESCAPE. No. 461,682. Patented 001. 20, 1891.

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J. H. KENNEDY. FIRE ESCAPE Patented Oct. 20,1891.

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J. H. KENNEDY.

FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 461.682. I Patented Oct. 20, 1891.

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JAMES H. KENNEDY, OF NEAR MILBUBN, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO AUSTIN ALLEN, OF BARBREOK, LOUISIANA.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 461,682, dated October 20, 1891.

Application filed May 13, 1891. Serial No. 392,547. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES HENRY KENNEDY, a citizen of the United States, residing near Milburn, and in the parish of St. Landry and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Fire-Escape; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in a fire-escape; and its novelty will be fully understood from the following description and claim, when taken in connection with the annexed drawings; and the object of my invention is to provide a portable fire-escape which will enable occupants of a building when on fire to escape safely. I attain this object by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of extension-slide which rests on top of fire-escape. Fig. 2 is a top view of extension-slide. Fig. 3 is a top view of fire-escape. Fig.4'is a side view of fire-escape closed. Fig. 5 is a front view of one of the ladders with rails compressed or folded. Fig. 6 is a side view of fire-escape elevated. Fig. 7 is a sectional top view of elevating-screw and extension-arms. Fig. 8 is a front view of fireesca-pe elevated. Fig.

9 is a sectional front view of step on side of fire-escape. Fig. 10 .is a side view of step when in position for use. Fig. 11 is a sectional side view showing step when raised.

Similar letters refer to similar parts through out the several views.

In the drawings, A refers to pole for attaching horses; B, front wheels, which are so constructed as to permit a short turn.

0 are rear wheels.

D is a circular-shaped metal plate, which is held in position by means of a bolt. Extending across the plate D are arms E, which are provided with legs F, being so constructed as to fold in the manner shown in Fig. 7 and occupying the position shown in Fig. 6, when fire-escape is in use, G being a bolt which forms a hinge for F, the head of said bolt being concave.

H is a right and left handed screw proother by rotating screw.

vide'd with wheels 1 and 2, and crank L in front and crank K in rear, for operating the same, M showing frame-pieces, which connect the front and rear wheels.

N are metal arms placed upon screw H, and which are thrown apart or nearer to each Attached to end of arm N are levers or lazy-tongs O, and to which are attached slotted cross-arms P, and working within said slots are connecting-rods Q. Upon one end of armsP are rests or platforms R, up to which a'pair of steps or ladder S is connected, said steps or ladder being provided on the sides with a railing T,'which is provided with hinges (not shown) and will enable railing to be compressed or folded when fire-escape is not in use. Said steps S are also provided in their rear with wire-netting or heavy canvas, (which is also not shown.)

Resting upon top of fire-escape is a platform U, and upon which there is placed a sliding platform V, and when fire-escape is in position for use, as shown in Fig. 6, said sliding platform V can be placed in a window of a building. Platform V is also provided with wings or pivoted extension-arms, which may be opened and extended to a window should the fire-escape be in such a position as not to permit the platform V to be extended into a window in the manner shown in Fig. 6.

WV are guy-ropes placed on each side of fireescape, and which are connected to a shaft and crank X on each side of fire-escape.

Z is a slide which partially covers opening in platform U, and may he moved back and forth at will.

When fire-escape is not in use, its normal position is as shown in Fig. 4. When an alarm of fire is given, horses are attached to pole A, as to an ordinary fire-engine, and the machine is drawn to the burning building or buildings and placed in such a position that it may be enabled to render effective service. The step-ladders Y, which are swung up on the side of the machine, are placed in position, as shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10, and by lowered, the steps or ladders S occupying the position shown in Fig. 6, and the railing T is opened, and when necessary the platform V is extended.

here it is desired to extend the fire-escape its full length in. order to use same to its full capacity, the arms E are drawn out and the legs F placed in position, as shown in Fig. 6, thus giving an increase of base of machine. \Vhere it is desired, the arms E may be provided with extension-slides, thus enabling an increase of base capacity to be given. It will be readily seen that the occupants of a building can pass down the steps or ladders safely.

hen there is no further service required of the fire-escape at the burning building or buildings, the extension levers or tongs O are lowered by means of screw II and cranks L and K until position of machine is such as shown in Fig. 4:, and is again drawn by team of horses or other motor power to its repository until it is necessary to again put same in use. A striking advantage of my invention is its economical construction and ease by which same can be used.

Having described my invention and the manner in which the same is or may be constructed and used, I would say in conclusion that I do not limit myself to the precise details herein described in illustration of my invention, as the same may be varied to some 

